Chuck Cutenese

Steve Virgen

In 1990, Chuck Cutenese started to work at Orange Coast College as an

assistant to Jane Hilgendorf, who was coach of the women’s volleyball

team.

He became the women’s coach in 1992 and took over the men’s

program the following year, as he became just the second coach for

each squad, following in the footsteps of Hilgendorf and Bob Wetzel.

However, long before, Cutenese started planting the seeds that

would result in a Pirate’s life for him.

Cutenese grew up in Costa Mesa and during his childhood he would

watch OCC volleyball. He would shag balls during the Coast men’s

volleyball games and would dream to play for Coach Bob Wetzel after

high school.

Cutenese played at Costa Mesa High, which is across the street

from OCC. He was the setter for Tim Wetzel, Bob’s son.

In 1983, Cutenese helped lead the Mustangs to the CIF Southern

Section Division 4-A semifinals. Costa Mesa lost to Laguna Beach,

which went on to win the title over Estancia.

After high school, Cutenese’s dream of playing for Bob Wetzel and

the Pirates would have to wait.

“My plans were a little interrupted,” Cutenese said. “I thought

for sure that after high school I would just come across the street

and play for Bob Wetzel. But they dropped the men’s volleyball

program and I spent the next two years not sure of what to do. I

didn’t think I would play again.”

Cutenese found an opportunity to play for Chapman University in

1986. But the following year Coast reinstated its men’s volleyball

program and Cutenese jumped on the phone to ask Bob Wetzel if he

could come back and play for the Pirates.

Cutenese entered as a sophomore transfer. He was the team’s setter

and was instrumental in OCC’s first state championship.

“That was definitely a great thing to be part of,” he said. “And

now being the coach, I feel so much closer to the program. I hope I

can provide that experience for my players. That’s what I strive

for.”

After OCC, Cutenese went back to Chapman, but after playing for

one season with the Panthers, they dropped their program. He then

transferred to the University of La Verne.

After college he coached at Costa Mesa and then moved on to

Foothill, where he worked from 1989 to ’93. In the early ‘90s, he

would juggle coaching jobs at Foothill and OCC, while also finishing

his work for his masters degree.

For a little more than a decade, Cutenese has been maintaining

success for both volleyball teams. In his second year coaching the

men, he guided them to the state championship. He has led the Pirates

to five conference titles.

“If you would have told me in 1987 that I would be the OCC coach

and do it for this long you would have been crazy,” he said. “I

thought I would be a high school teacher and coach for my career.

“I’ve known Bob and Jane since I started playing volleyball in

sixth grade,” he continued. “I grew up admiring them as coaches and I

felt a huge responsibility in stepping in for them. They were the

ones who built the dynasty at OCC.”

Cutenese, 39, lives in Costa Mesa, about a mile from the home he

grew up in. He is single and tells his players and friends that he is

married to volleyball. Orange Coast also holds a very close place in

his heart.

“I look forward to coaching former players’ kids,” said Cutenese,

the latest honoree of the Daily Pilot Sports Hall of Fame. “I see

myself coaching for 20 more years here. I have no ambition to go

anywhere else. I just love it. [OCC athletics] is just more than an

athletic department. We provide the whole picture: the college life,

academics and the opportunity to play on the next level. I just

believe in OCC. I’m a product of it and I believe in it.”